Via Pontica - Early Autumn Migration

Saturday 7th - Saturday 14th September 2019

This tour gives you the opportunity to see more than 140 bird species
and to witness the spectacular autumn migration on the Black Sea coast.
Along it is the second biggest migration route in Europe - Via Pontica.
Every autumn more than 90 000 raptors, 30 000 pelicans, 240 000 storks
as well as thousands of waders and passerines fly over this way to their
wintering grounds. The Bulgarian Black Sea coast and especially its
southern part is a "bottle-neck" for the migrating birds from all
Eastern Europe, also Scandinavia and Russia. Thats why it is likely to
see more than 10 000 storks, 3 000 pelicans or 2 000 Lesser Spotted Eagles just in a single day. Our main observation points will be several
wetlands along the Black Sea coast - designated as Ramsar sites and
IBAs. The itineraries for both dates differ in way that the second tour
will not visit the northern coats, but will explore only the Burgas
wetlands and use just one hotel for the entire holiday. The other
difference between them is that the first period is more suitable for
waders, terns and storks, while the second period is characterized with
more intensive raptor and passerine
migration.

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival at Varna
airport followed by one hour transfer to Shabla town where we will be
based for the next three nights. Accommodation and if the time permits,
short walk in the surroundings where we can see waders warblers,
shrikes and buntings.

Day 2Today we will explore
Durankulak and Shabla lakes at our leisure - both are important step
stones for all migrating species. Here we will see White and
Dalmatian Pelicans, Ferruginous Duck, Pygmy Cormorant, herons,
terns, passerines, raptors and of course many waders - Marsh, Curlew,
Wood and Broad-billed Sandpipers, Red-necked Phalarope
etc.

Day
3 This day will be devoted to the area of
Kaliakra steppe reserve - the last remaining steppe habitat in Bulgaria.
The steppe is lifted at more than 100 m above the sea, and the vertical
cliffs create not only picturesque view, but also very favourable
conditions for the soaring migrants - storks and pelicans, as well as
raptors - Red-footed Falcon, Levant Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Lesser Spotted
Eagle, Honey Buzzard and possibly all the harriers.
Additionally, gulls and terns, as well as thousands of passerines follow
the migration road. We will also catch local breeders like Stone
Curlew, Calandra and Short-toed Larks, Isabelline and Pied Wheatears,
Eagle Owl and many more.

Day 4 Today we move
south. Our first stop will be at forest hill where we can see several
species of woodpeckers - White-backed, Middle and Lesser Spotted, Short-toed Treecreeper and other woodland species.
After a lunch here we continue south, visiting Pomorie Lake where
numerous waders, terns and passerines rest and feed. In the evening we
arrive in our hotel in Pomorie where we stay for the next four
nights.

Days 5
and 6 Both days we spend around Burgas wetlands.
Here we will enjoy numerous migrating Lesser Spotted and Short-toed Eagles, Red-footed Falcons, Levant Sparrowhawks, harriers, Hobbies, as
well as White-tailed Eagle and Osprey. The gulls include -
Mediterranean, Slender-billed, Little and Yellow-legged, several
species of terns and ducks will be also seen. These wetlands are real
paradise for the waders, so a lot of species in considerable numbers
will be also seen includning Terek, Broad-billed, Marsh and
Curlew Sandpipers, Red-necked Phalarope, Spotted Redshank, Temnicks
Stint and many more.

Day 7 Today we visit
Strandzha Mountain, as the deciduous forests here are excellent habitat
for woodland birds. We expect to see White-backed, Middle Spotted,
Lesser Spotted, Grey-headed, Black, Green, and Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Other species may well include Red-breasted and
Semi-collared Flycatchers, Hawfinch, Hoopoe and Cirl Bunting. On the way
we visit two more coastal wetlands for Pygmy Cormorant, Little Grebe,
Squacco and Purple Herons, Garganey, Teal and again many waders. Back to
our hotel in Pomorie for the last night.

Day 8 Transfer to
Varna airport with several stops for birding, depending on your return
flight. Departure.

TOUR MAP

Tour Info

COST: 960 EURGroup size: 6-12 + leader

Single supplement: 140 EURDeposit: 300 EUR

Individuals:
3-5 + leader

Ground
price: 1 120
EUR

The price
includes:ground transport, full
board,accommodation, guide,entrancefees for all
nature reserves.

The price does not
include:airfare, travel insurance, hard drinks and all items of purely
personal nature.

Outline itinerary

Day 1:Arrival at Varna airport and transfer to Shabla village for the next three nights

Day 2:Explore Durankulak and Shabla lakes

Day 3:Explore area of Kaliakra steppe reserve – the last remaining steppe habitat in Bulgaria.